A tragic accident occurred on Tuesday afternoon when a seaplane crashed shortly after taking off from the popular Australian tourist destination of Rottnest Island, resulting in the deaths of three individuals, including two foreign tourists and the pilot. The seaplane, a Cessna 208 Caravan, was carrying seven people at the time of the incident.
The crash happened around 4 PM local time, as the plane was reportedly attempting to take off when it collided with a small limestone outcrop known as Phillip Rock. Following the impact, the aircraft plunged into the waters near Thomson Bay, situated off the coast of Perth, approximately 30 kilometers (19 miles) from the capital of Western Australia.
According to police reports, only one passenger was rescued without any injuries, while the remaining six individuals were either killed or injured. Among the deceased were a 65-year-old Swiss woman, a 60-year-old man from Denmark, and the 34-year-old pilot, who was based in Perth. The partners of the deceased, a 63-year-old Swiss man and a 58-year-old Danish woman, were among the survivors. Additionally, two locals—a 65-year-old woman and a 63-year-old man—also survived the ordeal.
The seaplane was operated by Swan River Seaplanes, which has since suspended its operations following the incident. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority confirmed that an investigation into the crash is underway, with expert investigators from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau dispatched to the site.
Rescue operations were promptly initiated, involving police, emergency services, and civilian vessels. Four survivors were recovered from the water, with three individuals—a 63-year-old Swiss man, a 63-year-old Western Australian man, and a 65-year-old Western Australian woman—airlifted to Fiona Stanley Hospital with varying degrees of injuries. A 58-year-old Danish woman was also transported to Royal Perth Hospital for medical treatment. Western Australia Police Commissioner Col Blanch reported that the injuries ranged from minor to severe, including a "very serious hand injury."
The bodies of the three victims were retrieved from the wreckage by police divers late Tuesday night, following a challenging operation that required them to dive approximately eight meters to recover the remains. The crash has sent shockwaves through the community, particularly as Rottnest Island is a beloved holiday destination known for its unique wildlife, including the iconic quokkas.
Witnesses to the crash included Greg Quin, a tourist vacationing on Rottnest Island, who described the harrowing scene: "We were watching the seaplane take off, and just as it was beginning to lift off the water, it tipped over and crashed," he recounted during an interview with Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio.
While initial reports suggested that the plane struck a rock during takeoff, Premier Roger Cook stated that the exact cause of the crash has yet to be confirmed. He emphasized that early findings remain unverified and that further investigations will be necessary to determine the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.
Zainab Y.
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